Varanasi- Spiritual capital of India

151 images Created 29 Dec 2015

“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together” Mark Twain

Varanasi (Kashi or Banaras) is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating from the 11th century B.C. It is regarded as the spiritual capital of India, drawing Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city’s winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. The River Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Associated with spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas, Varanasi boasts a cultural heritage to rival Calcutta. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi, and Ravi Shankar, the Sitar maestro, and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the Holy City or have lived here for major part of their lives.